Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2012
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Joe Fries

DRUGS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS

Almost two-thirds of students issued major suspensions last year were 
cited for drug-related activities, according to Okanagan Skaha School 
District records.

A total of 42 students received four-or five-day suspensions during 
the 2011-12 session, and drugs were involved in 27 of those cases, 
basic details of which were obtained by the Western News under 
freedom of information legislation.

The bulk of those suspensions came as a result of high school 
students being caught under the influence of marijuana, said Don 
MacIntyre, the district's director of instruction.

There were "very few incidents of students selling" drugs, he 
continued, "although it does happen."

Besides drugs, six students were suspended for behaviour problems, 
and two each for alcohol, fighting and weapons.

It was a slightly different picture in the 2010-11 year, when an 
identical 42 major suspensions were issued, but included 17 for 
drugs, 11 for fighting and four for alcohol.

The duration of a suspension is influenced mainly by the nature of 
the allegation, and the disciplinary and academic records of the 
student involved, MacIntyre explained. Schools are not required to 
report suspensions of three days or less, but must refer four-or 
five-day bans to the district office, where administrators can also 
arrange a sitting of an ad hoc discipline committee to confirm the decision.

"We only had three meetings this year; there might have been four 
last year," MacIntyre said. "But I can remember (years) when we had a 
meeting every month."

Superintendent Wendy Hyer said the district does not issue 
expulsions, although it is permitted by law to boot kids 16 or older. 
Some suspensions can, however, be open-ended and finish only when a 
student has met goals such as attendance or work completion.

The most problematic students, who may pose a risk to others, are 
generally pulled out of regular school and enrolled in a 
distance-learning program.

"Our intention is always to give a student as many ways as possible 
to stay connected to the school system," Hyer said.

"What we know is, kids in this age range generally do grow up at some 
point, and so we try to find a way to keep them remotely connected in 
any way we can."

Despite administrators' best efforts, though, suspensions are mostly 
ineffective without parental back-up, said Okanagan Skaha Teachers' 
Union president Leslea Pryde.

"Unless you have parent support at home and programs in place to help 
correct the behaviour, it's liable to happen again," said Pryde, who 
became president this month after Kevin Epp chose not to stand for re-election.

Hyer said the district tries to involve willing parents in the 
disciplinary process where possible, and also give students an idea 
of what further missteps will bring.

"We're trying to be proactive saying, 'If you keep demonstrating this 
kind of behaviour, there's a line in the sand,'" Hyer said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom